Amidst breathtaking scenery, enjoy a special golf and wine experience during a delightful four day and four night trip to Provence.

From the hinterland to the coast, this 225km route takes lovers of the open air, golfing greens and fine wines and food on a voyage of discovery as they explore the region’s simpler pleasures and highlights.

First stop: Barbaroux Golf Course. In the heart of Provence Verte and Verdon, this undulating and wooded 18-hole course sits in a remarkable natural setting. And with an adjoining hotel boasting 52 elegant rooms, as well as a wellness centre, this is the perfect place to both play golf and relax!

Next day it’s time for a wine tasting at Château des Demoiselles, where you’ll discover Côte de Provence AOP wines. The sensory experience continues in Roquebrune-sur-Argens with a visit to the Museum of Chocolate and Cocoa and the Maison du terroir. As for relaxation, there’s golf and a spa to enjoy! Both can be found at Domaines de Saint-Endréol with its 150-hectares of playing field and relaxation spaces. Roquebrune Golf Resort, a jewel in the Côte d’Azur's crown, organises an aperitif masterclass focusing on Château Vaudois wines and grape varieties produced in Provence’s terroir.

On the third day you’re off to family-run Château de l’Aumérade, a producer of Crus Classés wines. The trip continues with a stop in the flower-filled streets of Bormes-les-Mimosas, a village perched on a rocky outcrop. And finally, Domaine de Jasson, whose olive oil is produced from an olive grove planted in a former vineyard.

The journey draws to a close between Toulon and Bandol. After climbing Mont Faon via cable car and visiting the Memorial to the Allied Landings in Provence, steer course towards the Bandol wines oenotheque, a space dedicated to local terroirs and wines. And what better way to finish the trip in style than to practice your swing on one of the Dolce Frégate Provence Golf Club's courses, complete with sea view? As the sun sets, you can even enjoy an aperitif served at the 10th hole. 

When it comes to wine and golf, Provence certainly pulls out all the stops!

Bertrand Trepo trained as an agricultural engineer but is man of many talents. As well as being a champagne winegrower and producer he is also a chartered accountant and president of the Association for the Promotion of Coteaux Vitryats as well as Vignoble 192, and Propriété Rurale. Since 2008 he has been involved in high environmental value agriculture and is currently converting to organic practices.

Why did you decide to convert to organic farming?

My involvement pre-dates quality labelling. In 2008 I stopped using weed killer to allow what was supposed to live around the vines to actually grow. Since then, I’ve gradually increased my commitment to the environment. This has taken some time because, like many people, I inherited my vines from my parents. I had to begin by working with what they had accomplished.

Why let sheep graze among the vines?

Working organically isn’t an end in itself. I want to engage in regenerative farming. This means looking after the soil and bringing it to life, which is where the sheep play a role. They remove weeds and their droppings add life to the soil. It’s important to remember that the more alive a soil is, the more carbon it can capture. If the farming sector were to increase the living component of soil by 0.04%, this would eliminate the issue of carbon in the atmosphere. But I know that this type of farming isn’t possible for everyone. I can do this because there is a sheep farmer in the village.

Why harvest the grapes at night?

Because of the environment, the wine, out of curiosity and in the spirit of innovation. We do this to preserve the grapes because it can get very hot at harvest time. And ecologically speaking, the cheapest method of refrigeration is the night air. I was the first to work this way in Champagne and I’m delighted to see other winegrowers, and even one of the large houses, follow suit. But while these harvests are a way of adapting to the natural cycle, they are no solution to climate change.

In undulating countryside between Tours and Le Mans, explore a pocket-sized wine region that includes the Coteaux du Loir, Jasnières and Coteaux du Vendômois appellations, in the north of the Loire Valley, each connected by Loir river. Enjoy unique experiences with the winemakers, taste a palette of delicate wines and special cuvées in troglodyte cellars and fall for the charm of a magnificent local heritage set within an unspoilt natural landscape. 

At Charles Jumert, winemakers for seven generations in Villiers-sur-Loir, you will be taken on a highly original visit of Domaine de la Berthelotière by cart, followed by a tour of the cellar carved into the tufa rock. Afterwards enjoy a tasting of Coteaux du Vendômois AOC rosé – known as ‘le gris’ – served with a selection of local produce.

At Domaine Patrice Colin in Thoré-la-Rochette, you’ll be greeted by a couple of passionate winemakers. Committed to working the soil, Patrice Colin runs his estate in the Coteaux du Vendômois appellation using organic farming principles and is a true ambassador for its terroir. Visitors can explore the troglodyte cellars and sample the estate’s wines. The fruity and well balanced red wines produced from the iconic local grape variety Pineau d’Aunis are very popular thanks to their characteristic spice notes.

A visit to the troglodyte cellars at Domaine Lelais in Ruillé-sur-Loir are well worth a detour! Several kilometres long and carved out of the rock several centuries ago, this labyrinth of galleries, which also contains a museum dedicated to Bacchus, can be visited on a tour guided by winemaker Claire Lelais. Stay inside the troglodyte cellars for a taste of the famous white wines of Jasnières AOC and Coteaux du Loir AOC, the latter also available as a red and rosé wine.

Over at Domaine de Cézin in Marçon, the Fresneau family has been producing wines from these two appellations in the south of the Sarthe region for four generations. The owners are truly passionate about their work and run a wine tasting workshop. How should you hold the glass? What to look for? How can you identify a wine’s aromas? You’ll find the answers to these questions and more. Domaine de Cézin also offers a visit to its troglodyte cellar as well as a tasting of its wines, all produced according to sustainable methods.

As you leave La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, why not take the Loire Valley Wine Route, either by bike or car, and explore some of the region’s finest producers.

Continue your trip to the Loir Valley with a visit to Vendôme, recognised as a City of Art and History. The city contains both a rich historical and natural heritage, plus countless delightful gardens. To enjoy a picnic among the vines on the hills above Vendôme head to "pente des Coutis". Whether as a family or with friends, this amazing view of the abbey and its castle is the perfect spot for a relaxing break.

Vineyards and heritage are inseparable in the Loire Valley! As can be seen in the troglodyte caves converted into cellars to age wine, and the prestigious Loire châteaux surrounded by vineyards.

Enjoy an immersive and enchanting journey into the world of the vine and Mediterranean wines, plus one of Languedoc’s finest landscapes.

Bordering the Massif de la Clape and facing the Mediterranean just 10 minutes from Narbonne sits Château le Bouïs. One of Languedoc's oldest wine estates, a memorable experience awaits visitors as they explore its wines and terroir in the Corbières and Clape appellations.

“The winemaker’s role, and the power of wine itself, is to stimulate the senses. ”

“The Legend of Bouïs” visitor trail introduces guests to the winemaker's world. Through each of the visit's 5 stages your senses will be stimulated as you deepen your knowledge of the vine and wine. Guests young and old alike will enjoy exploring the entire 300 year-old estate estate, with visits to a wine museum, interactive gallery complete with talking wines and an open-air exhibition of traditional winemaking tools. Not forgetting a tasting of the Château’s finest cuvées in the historic vaulted cellars.

And to round off the visit, a meal in the estate’s restaurant, complete with panoramic view of the sea and vines, is hard to resist! Sample some of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Marc Boyer's signature dishes and enjoy a fabulous gourmet experience with a Mediterranean flavour.

At Château le Bouïs wine is a shared experience and a special moment to be enjoyed through one of the many activities on offer. From a guided tasting of one of the estate’s finest creations, the wine creation oenological workshop or discovering grape varieties that have been aged in amphorae.

In the Vendée, the plots of the Mourat vineyard reveal the special characteristics of the terroir in an original way and offer visitors the chance to picnic in a special setting.

Close to La Roche-sur-Yon, the Mourat family has been cultivating Fiefs Vendéens vines since 1880.  Proud of his terroir, Jérémie Mourat has opened the 127-hectare family-run organic operation to wine lovers, who can explore the vineyard in an electric car. Each vehicle seats 4 people so a maximum of 12 can enjoy the trip by hiring all 3 cars!

Armed with a tablet computer, visitors set off for an entirely self-contained day of discovery. As they drive the 36 km route they encounter points of interest and learn about the special characteristics of the vineyard and its grape varieties. Lunch is a picnic enjoyed in the shade of the White Windmill, surrounded by 12 hectares of vines.

The culmination of this invigorating trip is a tasting of five of the Mourat estate’s wines: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Négrette, Chardonnay and Chenin.

From the shores of the Mediterranean to the foothills of the Alps, vines add to the beauty of Provence’s sun-baked landscapes.  3 inland destinations that showcase the local terroir.

What better way to understand a wine than to return to its roots and explore the land in which it grows? Whether on foot, in a horse-drawn carriage or by bike, wine lovers with a passion for the outdoors can criss-cross the vine-strewn plains and olive-filled valleys of Provence Verte & Verdon. Each hike through this masterpiece of nature is a chance to encounter the terroir and the winemakers who work it. This is a region whose winemaking tradition dates back to Roman times. Its producers can therefore draw on a combination of traditional and modern skills to tend the grapes and produce stunning rosés.

Dracénie Provence Verdon has a vast network of sites that operate to exceptionally high standards. From accommodation to restaurants, guest houses, wine estates, tasting venues, museums and vineyard event, Provencal culture and wine are intertwined. Winemakers have developed plenty of activities to showcase their wines, the environment and the region’s heritage. A truly original way of life awaits visitors who explore Provence's Wine Route!

With 5 AOPs, Pays d’Aix Sud Lubéron is packed with exciting places to discover. In the shaded alleyways of the small villages, on the colourful stalls of the markets or in the fields filled with lavender, olive trees and vines, the scent of Provence's natural heritage can be enjoyed throughout the year. In this picture-postcard setting, winemakers offer visitors the diversity of local terroirs and robust wines that slumber in the calm of their wine cellars.

Whichever destination you choose, one thing’s for sure: the finest things in life await in the land of the cicadas!